Melanin pigmentation in mammalian skin and its hormonal regulation

Cutaneous melanin pigment plays a critical role in camouflage, mimicry, social communication, and protection against harmful effects of solar radiation. Melanogenesis is under complex regulatory control by multiple agents interacting via pathways activated by receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms, in hormonal, auto-, para-, or intracrine fashion. Because of the multidirectional nature and heterogeneous character of the melanogenesis modifying agents, its controlling factors are not organized into simple linear sequences, but they interphase instead in a multidimensional network, with extensive functional overlapping with connections arranged both in series and in parallel. The most important positive regulator of melanogenesis is the MC1 receptor with its ligands melanocortins and ACTH, whereas among the negative regulators agouti protein stands out, determining intensity of melanogenesis and also the type of melanin synthesized. Within the context of the skin as a stress organ, melanogenic activity serves as a unique molecular sensor and transducer of noxious signals and as regulator of local homeostasis. In keeping with these multiple roles, melanogenesis is controlled by a highly structured system, active since early embryogenesis and capable of superselective functional regulation that may reach down to the cellular level represented by single melanocytes. Indeed, the significance of melanogenesis extends beyond the mere assignment of a color trait.

beta-Endorphin as a regulator of human hair follicle melanocyte biology

The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone, are important mediators of human skin pigmentation via action at the melanocortin-1 receptor. Recent data suggests that such a regulatory role also exists for the endogenous opiate, beta-endorphin (beta-END). A role for this beta-END in the regulation of follicular pigmentation, however, has not been determined. This study was designed to examine the involvement of the beta-END/mu-opiate receptor system in human follicular melanocyte biology. We employed RT-PCR, and immunohisto/cytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy using beta-END and mu-opiate receptor specific antibodies and a functional role for beta-END was assessed by direct stimulation with the peptide. This study has demonstrated that human hair follicle melanocytes (HFM) express mRNA for the mu-opiate receptor and POMC. Furthermore, beta-END and its high affinity mu-opiate receptor are expressed at the protein level in glycoprotein100-positive follicular melanocytes and as a function of their anatomic location and differentiation status during the hair growth cycle. Functional studies revealed that beta-END is a modifier of HFM phenotype via its ability to upregulate melanogenesis, dendricity, and proliferation. These findings suggest a new regulatory role for beta-END in human HFM biology, providing a new research direction into the fundamental regulation of human hair pigmentation.

Regulation of human epidermal melanocyte biology by beta-endorphin

beta-Endorphin is an opioid peptide cleaved from the precursor pro-hormone pro-opiomelanocortin, from which other peptides such as adrenocorticotropic hormone, beta-lipotropic hormone, and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone are also derived. alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone are well documented to regulate human skin pigmentation via action at the melanocortin-1 receptor. Whereas plasma beta-endorphin is reported to increase after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, to date a functional role for beta-endorphin in the regulation of human epidermal melanocyte biology has not been demonstrated. This study was designed to examine the involvement of the beta-endorphin/mu-opiate receptor system in human epidermal melanocytes. To address this question we employed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry/cytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy using beta-endorphin and mu-opiate receptor specific antibodies. A functional role for beta-endorphin was assessed in epidermal melanocyte cultures by direct stimulation with the peptide. This study demonstrated the expression of mu-opiate receptor mRNA in cultured epidermal melanocytes, as well as mRNA for pro-opiomelanocortin. In addition, we have shown that beta-endorphin and mu-opiate receptor are expressed at the protein level in situ in glycoprotein100-positive melanocytes. The expression of both beta-endorphin and mu-opiate receptor correlated positively with their differentiation status in vitro. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy studies revealed an association of beta-endorphin with melanosomes. Functional studies showed that beta-endorphin has potent melanogenic, mitogenic, and dendritogenic effects in cultured epidermal melanocytes deprived of any exogenous supply of pro-opiomelanocortin peptides. Thus, we report that human epidermal melanocytes express a fully functioning beta-endorphin/mu-opiate receptor system. In the absence of any data showing cross-talk between the mu-opiate receptor and the melanocortin-1 receptor, we conclude that the beta-endorphin/mu-opiate receptor system participates in the regulation of skin pigmentation.

Proopiomelanocortin gene product regulation in keratinocytes

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is the precursor for adrenocorticotropic hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormones, beta-lipotropic hormone (beta LPH), and beta endorphin. These peptides can function as neurotransmitters, modulate immune responses, and affect melanogenesis. We investigated POMC expression and protein processing in normal human keratinocytes. On Northern blot analysis, the baseline expression of the 1.2-kb POMC transcript was upregulated by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) or by stimulation with interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) or phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate (TPA). On Western blot analysis, POMC, beta LPH, and beta-endorphin were detected in cell extracts under baseline conditions. beta LPH level increased substantially after UVR, IL-1 alpha, or TPA. Within 36 h after TPA stimulation, beta-endorphin became undetectable in cell extracts, coinciding with an increase of beta-endorphin-immunoreactive protein in the culture medium. Our data establish that keratinocytes synthesize POMC protein as well as its derivatives beta LPH and beta-endorphin, and that this process is modulated by TPA, IL-1A, and UVR. beta LPH and beta-endorphin of keratinocyte origin may thus be involved in melanogenesis and/or immunomodulation in the skin after sun exposure, and their release into the circulation may also have systemic effects.

Proopiomelanocortin, its derived peptides, and the skin

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a protein synthesized predominately in the pituitary gland but also in a variety of other tissues, including the skin. Through enzyme-mediated cleavage that varies among cell types, POMC can give rise to at least eight distinct peptides whose biologic roles are incompletely delineated. Although blood-borne pituitary-derived bioactivity for the skin was first recognized 80 years ago and the responsible neuropeptides isolated 20-40 years ago, our understanding of POMC-derived peptides in skin is still rapidly evolving. In particular, recent work in cultured human and murine skin-derived cells has demonstrated POMC gene expression as well as modulation of POMC and many of its derived peptides in response to physiologic signals including ultraviolet irradiation and cytokines. Immunoreactivity for these peptides has also been detected in normal skin and hair follicles, strongly suggesting cutaneous synthesis in vivo. Candidate autocrine or paracrine functions include enhanced melanogenesis, immunomodulation, and effects on cell cycle regulation and differentiated function in both the epidermis and its appendages. This article reviews recent data concerning POMC gene expression and regulation, protein processing, signal transduction, and biologic functions relevant to cutaneous biology.